WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:12.000 Auto Light and its 96,000 dealers present Suspense. 00:12.000 --> 00:21.000 Tonight, Auto Light brings you a tale of jealousy and hate on the stage of a deserted opera house, 00:21.000 --> 00:26.840 Aria from Murder, starring Mr. Ezio Pinza, who is appearing tonight by arrangement with 00:26.840 --> 00:32.120 MGM producers of the Technicolor picture Kim, starring Errol Flynn, Dean Stockwell, Paul 00:32.120 --> 00:38.840 Lucas and Robert Douglas. 00:38.840 --> 00:43.200 Before our play begins, here is a word about Auto Light from our good friend, Harlow Wilcox. 00:43.200 --> 00:45.240 Hi, Hap, where are you going? 00:45.240 --> 00:46.520 To the zoo, Harlow. 00:46.520 --> 00:47.520 Oh, why bother? 00:47.520 --> 00:52.160 I'll give you the zoo's who on the Auto Light stay full battery, the battery that needs 00:52.160 --> 00:55.120 water only three times a year in normal car use. 00:55.120 --> 00:57.240 Why, that even beats the record of camels. 00:57.240 --> 00:58.440 Yes, but... 00:58.440 --> 01:03.200 And when it comes to starting a bear of an engine these cold winter mornings, the Auto 01:03.200 --> 01:05.800 Light stay full battery is the cat's pajamas. 01:05.800 --> 01:06.800 Harlow. 01:06.800 --> 01:11.680 Why, Hap, the stay full is kept strong as an ox by fiberglass retaining mats protecting 01:11.680 --> 01:13.320 every positive plate. 01:13.320 --> 01:17.800 They prevent shedding and flaking, keep the power producing materials in place, and give 01:17.800 --> 01:22.680 that Auto Light stay full battery a life longer than an elephant's memory. 01:22.680 --> 01:27.760 Why, that eager beaver, Auto Light stay full battery, gives 70% longer life as proved by 01:27.760 --> 01:31.320 tests run according to SAE minimum life cycle standards. 01:31.320 --> 01:32.320 Harlow, please. 01:32.320 --> 01:36.720 So friends, please see your neighborhood Auto Light battery dealer and ask him for an Auto 01:36.720 --> 01:42.200 Light stay full battery, the great battery that needs water only three times a year in 01:42.200 --> 01:44.200 normal car use. 01:44.200 --> 01:48.880 As the lion says... 01:48.880 --> 01:52.920 You're always right with Auto Light. 01:52.920 --> 01:57.320 And now with Aria from Murder and the performance of Mr. H.C. 01:57.320 --> 02:04.280 Opinza, Auto Light hopes once again to keep you in suspense. 02:04.280 --> 02:11.040 Me, me, me, me, me. 02:11.040 --> 02:19.280 Ah, Niccolo, tonight you are singing as you have never sung before. 02:19.280 --> 02:22.600 How wildly the patrons applaud. 02:22.600 --> 02:26.800 I wonder if they would applaud so tremendously if they knew the thing that you suffer in your 02:26.800 --> 02:29.800 heart. 02:29.800 --> 02:30.800 I will call now. 02:30.800 --> 02:31.800 There is time. 02:31.800 --> 02:34.800 In a mission, Mr. Marzini. 02:34.800 --> 02:40.160 You've got about 15 minutes. 02:40.160 --> 02:42.840 Thank you. 02:42.840 --> 02:47.080 Police headquarters. 02:47.080 --> 02:51.640 I wish to speak with the policeman in charge of the homicide department, please. 02:51.640 --> 02:54.640 Yes, tomorrow. 02:54.640 --> 02:58.120 Homicide Lieutenant Morgan. 02:58.120 --> 03:00.800 This is Niccolo Marzini, Lieutenant Morgan. 03:00.800 --> 03:02.040 Yes. 03:02.040 --> 03:05.160 I am the base baritone with the Grandia Opera Company. 03:05.160 --> 03:06.160 Oh. 03:06.160 --> 03:09.520 Well, what can I do for you, Mr. Marzini? 03:09.520 --> 03:12.480 I should like to make a confession at this time. 03:12.480 --> 03:14.000 A confession? 03:14.000 --> 03:15.000 Yes. 03:15.000 --> 03:17.040 I would like to confess to murder. 03:17.040 --> 03:19.680 Where are you now, Mr. Marzini? 03:19.680 --> 03:24.000 I am calling from my dressing room here at the Grandia Opera House. 03:24.000 --> 03:28.240 In just a very few moments, I will step out on the stage and finish my performance in 03:28.240 --> 03:31.000 Mozart's opera Don Giovanni. 03:31.000 --> 03:33.040 It is my last performance. 03:33.040 --> 03:34.040 I shall try to explain. 03:34.040 --> 03:38.620 About the confession you wanted to make, Mr. Marzini. 03:38.620 --> 03:45.360 My explanation, Lieutenant, becomes the confession. 03:45.360 --> 03:49.880 Your law books tell you that murder begins with reason. 03:49.880 --> 03:54.280 This murder that I had committed did not begin with a reason. 03:54.280 --> 03:56.800 It began with a weakness. 03:56.800 --> 03:58.480 A weakness. 03:58.480 --> 04:00.600 My weakness was a woman. 04:00.600 --> 04:06.200 Not the woman I married, but rather the woman I loved, Leola Dantes. 04:06.200 --> 04:11.720 I was successful in hiding my association with Leola from the people around me, except 04:11.720 --> 04:18.320 in the eyes of one man, Felix Levine, the general manager of the company. 04:18.320 --> 04:23.640 Two weeks ago, after a performance of the Marriage of Figaro, Felix said that he wanted 04:23.640 --> 04:25.480 to see me. 04:25.480 --> 04:30.160 I finished dressing and started across the stage on my way to his office. 04:30.160 --> 04:32.120 The opera house was deserted. 04:32.120 --> 04:39.040 And I was quite surprised to find him standing there on that barren stage under that single 04:39.040 --> 04:43.600 work light staring out into the darkened auditorium. 04:43.600 --> 04:50.520 Oh, I would like to talk to you, Nicolo, if you have a few minutes. 04:50.520 --> 04:51.520 Of course, Felix. 04:51.520 --> 04:54.600 There is something very important we must discuss. 04:54.600 --> 04:56.880 Then by all means, let's discuss it. 04:56.880 --> 04:59.040 May I be very frank with you? 04:59.040 --> 05:01.080 I would have it no other way. 05:01.080 --> 05:02.080 Good. 05:02.080 --> 05:03.960 I am happy you feel that way. 05:03.960 --> 05:09.640 First, I have known for some time about you and Leola Dantes. 05:09.640 --> 05:13.320 So, you know about Leola Dantes. 05:13.320 --> 05:15.640 And who else besides you, Felix knows? 05:15.640 --> 05:19.000 I have tried as best I could to keep it from the others. 05:19.000 --> 05:20.000 And my wife? 05:20.000 --> 05:21.000 Have you told my wife? 05:21.000 --> 05:22.000 No, no, Nicolo. 05:22.000 --> 05:23.840 I did not have the heart. 05:23.840 --> 05:26.600 I have wanted to spare Irene's feelings. 05:26.600 --> 05:27.600 You? 05:27.600 --> 05:30.080 You wanted to spare her feelings? 05:30.080 --> 05:31.080 This touches me deeply. 05:31.080 --> 05:32.080 Felix. 05:32.080 --> 05:33.080 I do not know what you mean. 05:33.080 --> 05:37.840 This concern of yours, it really is not so much for me as it is for Irene. 05:37.840 --> 05:40.000 Oh, do not be ridiculous, Nicolo. 05:40.000 --> 05:41.360 You want to spare her feelings. 05:41.360 --> 05:45.080 Do not read meaning where there is no meaning, Nicolo. 05:45.080 --> 05:49.240 I think that you have been waiting for something like this for a long time. 05:49.240 --> 05:53.960 Tell me, Felix, are you masking your love for Irene with pity? 05:53.960 --> 05:54.960 Your reason has gone. 05:54.960 --> 05:56.520 What else can I believe? 05:56.520 --> 05:59.240 What other possible reason can there be for this threat? 05:59.240 --> 06:02.400 Do you know what these are, Nicolo? 06:02.400 --> 06:03.400 Papers? 06:03.400 --> 06:04.400 Pieces of paper? 06:04.400 --> 06:06.280 They are bills, hundreds of them. 06:06.280 --> 06:08.080 Look at them, Nicolo, bills. 06:08.080 --> 06:09.800 Bills that you have run up. 06:09.800 --> 06:13.720 Almost $5,000 worth of flowers, champagne, gifts. 06:13.720 --> 06:14.800 What are you doing with these? 06:14.800 --> 06:19.280 They were sent here to the company as attachments on your guarantee for the present season. 06:19.280 --> 06:20.280 So? 06:20.280 --> 06:24.000 So, it turns out, Nicolo, that there is not any more guarantee. 06:24.000 --> 06:27.040 You have already been advanced way over your guarantee. 06:27.040 --> 06:30.320 At the moment, you owe the company almost an entire season. 06:30.320 --> 06:31.760 Oh, I don't believe you. 06:31.760 --> 06:32.760 It's impossible. 06:32.760 --> 06:36.160 It's not impossible, Nicolo. 06:36.160 --> 06:40.040 But Felix, this question of the money can so easily be solved. 06:40.040 --> 06:41.040 These creditors know me. 06:41.040 --> 06:43.960 They know that next season I will take care of... 06:43.960 --> 06:48.800 Nicolo, Nicolo, there won't be any next season for you. 06:48.800 --> 06:50.720 I don't understand. 06:50.720 --> 06:51.720 I have a contract. 06:51.720 --> 06:53.920 I am going to break it. 06:53.920 --> 06:56.960 You waited for this moment for a long time. 06:56.960 --> 06:57.960 Haven't you? 06:57.960 --> 06:58.960 You're being very stupid now, Nicolo. 06:58.960 --> 07:03.080 I am being much more realistic about this than you can possibly imagine. 07:03.080 --> 07:04.080 Are you really? 07:04.080 --> 07:05.080 My reason hasn't gone. 07:05.080 --> 07:08.280 It's just that you have made a stupid mistake. 07:08.280 --> 07:10.840 I have a mistake? 07:10.840 --> 07:12.480 I am not a violent man. 07:12.480 --> 07:14.960 I dislike violence very much. 07:14.960 --> 07:17.820 But you really haven't given me any alternative. 07:17.820 --> 07:20.200 You have only given me one choice to make. 07:20.200 --> 07:21.200 What do you mean? 07:21.200 --> 07:27.240 The opera house is so quiet at night when no one is here. 07:27.240 --> 07:30.080 Listen, Felix, not a sound. 07:30.080 --> 07:32.240 Nicolo, what is wrong with you? 07:32.240 --> 07:36.040 Look at the enormous shadows we throw upon the stage from this work light. 07:36.040 --> 07:38.400 Are you trying to frighten me? 07:38.400 --> 07:39.400 You won't, you know. 07:39.400 --> 07:43.280 No, I am not trying to scare you, Felix. 07:43.280 --> 07:44.480 That would do no good at all. 07:44.480 --> 07:46.160 Well, then what are you talking about? 07:46.160 --> 07:48.080 The money problem was your business. 07:48.080 --> 07:53.800 But my association with Leola Dantes was no concern of yours, Felix, not whatsoever. 07:53.800 --> 07:54.800 Nicolo! 07:54.800 --> 08:01.680 I grabbed his shirt and twisted the collar until his grew red. 08:01.680 --> 08:05.920 And then I yanked at the work light, lifted his eye, and with all my strength brought 08:05.920 --> 08:13.040 it crashing down on his head. 08:13.040 --> 08:15.280 I released my hand from his collar. 08:15.280 --> 08:22.040 He swayed for a moment and then fell awkwardly down upon the stage. 08:22.040 --> 08:25.440 I reached over and picked up the beers lying on the table. 08:25.440 --> 08:32.640 Then I heard it, a sound from out in the auditorium, a sound of something or someone. 08:32.640 --> 08:36.120 It was too dark to see anything. 08:36.120 --> 08:40.160 I rushed over to the electrician's case through the house light switch and rushed back on 08:40.160 --> 08:41.160 the stage. 08:41.160 --> 08:48.040 There, sitting in the sixth or seventh row, staring at me in complete bewilderment, was 08:48.040 --> 08:54.040 a beady-eyed man wearing a brown jacket with a head of flaming radar. 08:54.040 --> 08:55.520 You! 08:55.520 --> 08:58.720 You out there! 08:58.720 --> 09:01.040 Who are you? 09:01.040 --> 09:03.680 What are you doing out there? 09:03.680 --> 09:05.080 Don't sit there looking at me. 09:05.080 --> 09:06.080 Say something! 09:06.080 --> 09:10.720 Oh, so you are scared, is that it? 09:10.720 --> 09:12.320 Did you see everything? 09:12.320 --> 09:14.360 No, no, don't move! 09:14.360 --> 09:17.040 Wait, wait, I want to talk to you. 09:17.040 --> 09:18.040 Come back, Navo. 09:18.040 --> 09:19.720 I won't hurt you, I promise. 09:19.720 --> 09:22.400 Are you afraid of me? 09:22.400 --> 09:23.480 Why don't you answer me? 09:23.480 --> 09:25.760 You are afraid of me, aren't you? 09:25.760 --> 09:26.760 Come back here. 09:26.760 --> 09:27.760 You, come back! 09:27.760 --> 09:28.760 I want to talk to you. 09:28.760 --> 09:31.760 Come back! 09:31.760 --> 09:40.440 No, no. 09:40.440 --> 09:43.120 He was gone. 09:43.120 --> 09:49.800 I stood there and could feel the perspiration roll down off my face as I realized that a 09:49.800 --> 10:06.320 red-headed man had just witnessed the murder that I had committed. 10:06.320 --> 10:12.000 Auto Light is bringing you Mr. H.C.O.P.N.Z.A. in Aria from Murder, tonight's production 10:12.000 --> 10:20.200 in radio's outstanding theater of thrills, Suspense. 10:20.200 --> 10:29.720 Harlow, the zoo has a giraffe with the longest neck in the world. 10:29.720 --> 10:33.600 Ah, but it can't be as long as the life of an auto light stay full battery, the battery 10:33.600 --> 10:37.640 that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. 10:37.640 --> 10:43.400 Why that world famous stay full battery gives 70% longer life, and this is proven by tests 10:43.400 --> 10:46.960 conducted according to SAE minimum life cycle standards. 10:46.960 --> 10:51.840 Harlow, when this giraffe takes a drink, the water doesn't get down for a month. 10:51.840 --> 10:56.260 But Hap, the auto light stay full battery only needs a drink three times a year in normal 10:56.260 --> 10:57.440 car use. 10:57.440 --> 11:02.260 This giraffe's neck is so long that when his head is in Tuesday, his tail is still 11:02.260 --> 11:04.260 in last week. 11:04.260 --> 11:09.480 Now there's a guy who needs fiberglass retaining mats to keep all the energy in one place. 11:09.480 --> 11:13.160 That's what they do for the auto light stay full battery, because fiberglass retaining 11:13.160 --> 11:18.860 mats protect every positive plate to prevent shedding and flaking, and keep the power producing 11:18.860 --> 11:22.780 materials in place for fast dependable starts. 11:22.780 --> 11:28.000 So see your auto light battery dealer, have him install in your car an auto light stay 11:28.000 --> 11:29.000 full battery. 11:29.000 --> 11:33.120 And remember, you're always right with auto light. 11:33.120 --> 11:39.000 And now auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage, Mr. Ezio Pinza, in Elliot Lewis's 11:39.000 --> 11:57.760 production of Aria from Murder, a tale well calculated to keep you in suspense. 11:57.760 --> 12:02.520 I stood in the alley next to the opera house for a long time. 12:02.520 --> 12:07.440 My mind was confused and I felt numb with pain. 12:07.440 --> 12:12.880 Not an abnormal reaction for a man who has just committed a murder, I believe. 12:12.880 --> 12:17.400 This witness on flaming red hair that that moment might have been on his way to the police. 12:17.400 --> 12:20.400 Oh, I was desperate. 12:20.400 --> 12:24.440 And the desperate man seeks refuge. 12:24.440 --> 12:27.320 My weakness was my refuge. 12:27.320 --> 12:29.320 And I went to my weakness. 12:29.320 --> 12:32.320 Nicky, darling. 12:32.320 --> 12:35.320 Leola, Leola. 12:35.320 --> 12:38.320 Sit down, darling. 12:38.320 --> 12:41.480 I'll fix you a drink. 12:41.480 --> 12:43.560 I need it. 12:43.560 --> 12:44.560 Recognize the record, darling? 12:44.560 --> 12:45.560 Yes. 12:45.560 --> 12:46.560 One of your best, I thought. 12:46.560 --> 12:48.560 It seems so long ago. 12:48.560 --> 12:50.800 Is there something wrong, Nicky? 12:50.800 --> 12:51.800 Wrong, Leola. 12:51.800 --> 12:54.520 Oh, why, no, no, there is nothing wrong. 12:54.520 --> 12:58.160 Here, here's your drink. 12:58.160 --> 12:59.760 Thank you. 12:59.760 --> 13:02.120 I know there's something wrong. 13:02.120 --> 13:03.120 Why? 13:03.120 --> 13:06.120 What gives you that idea? 13:06.120 --> 13:11.320 Because you've forgotten. 13:11.320 --> 13:14.560 And it's not likely for you to forget, Nicky. 13:14.560 --> 13:15.560 Forgotten? 13:15.560 --> 13:18.200 You've forgotten to bring me something. 13:18.200 --> 13:20.400 And you never forget unless there's something wrong. 13:20.400 --> 13:21.880 Oh, Leola, I am sorry. 13:21.880 --> 13:24.440 Nicky, please, I know something is wrong. 13:24.440 --> 13:27.320 Now tell me what it is. 13:27.320 --> 13:28.520 Something to do with your wife? 13:28.520 --> 13:30.240 Has she found out? 13:30.240 --> 13:31.440 No, nothing, nothing. 13:31.440 --> 13:33.720 Well, then tell me, please. 13:33.720 --> 13:34.720 Leola. 13:34.720 --> 13:37.400 What is it, Nicky? 13:37.400 --> 13:40.400 Tell me, please. 13:40.400 --> 13:42.240 Leola, Leola, tell me. 13:42.240 --> 13:43.240 You love me, tell me. 13:43.240 --> 13:45.480 Nicky, you know I do. 13:45.480 --> 13:46.480 Oh, darling. 13:46.480 --> 13:49.480 Nicky, no, wait, now, wait, please. 13:49.480 --> 13:51.640 First tell me what it is. 13:51.640 --> 13:58.120 Tonight, just after the performance, Felix Levine sent word that he wanted to see me 13:58.120 --> 13:59.120 on stage. 13:59.120 --> 14:00.120 Go on, Nicky. 14:00.120 --> 14:03.120 He knew all about us. 14:03.120 --> 14:07.880 Oh, it had to come out sooner or later, didn't it, Nicky? 14:07.880 --> 14:10.000 He threatened to go to Irene, my wife. 14:10.000 --> 14:13.040 He threatened to tell her everything. 14:13.040 --> 14:15.040 And then he threatened to go to the newspaper. 14:15.040 --> 14:16.040 Oh? 14:16.040 --> 14:18.040 Do you see what that would have meant? 14:18.040 --> 14:20.240 I'm afraid I don't quite follow you. 14:20.240 --> 14:22.680 Oh, don't you understand, Leola? 14:22.680 --> 14:26.600 What it would involve, the scandal, the effect it would have on my reputation. 14:26.600 --> 14:27.600 I see. 14:27.600 --> 14:30.040 He offered to bargain with me. 14:30.040 --> 14:31.040 Bargain? 14:31.040 --> 14:32.040 Yes. 14:32.040 --> 14:35.240 If I would stop seeing you, he would remain silent. 14:35.240 --> 14:37.360 He became very adamant in his demand. 14:37.360 --> 14:40.920 And when I refused, he became violent. 14:40.920 --> 14:43.400 I too became violent. 14:43.400 --> 14:46.280 And in her age, I hit him with the stagework light. 14:46.280 --> 14:47.280 He... 14:47.280 --> 14:48.960 What are you trying to say? 14:48.960 --> 14:51.400 Oh, Leola, I killed him. 14:51.400 --> 14:52.400 Nicky. 14:52.400 --> 14:56.720 But then, Leola, while I was standing over his body, I heard a noise from out in the 14:56.720 --> 14:57.720 auditorium. 14:57.720 --> 15:01.680 Someone out there in the auditorium had seen the entire thing. 15:01.680 --> 15:02.680 What? 15:02.680 --> 15:05.680 I rushed to turn the house lights on. 15:05.680 --> 15:10.320 A man wearing a brown coat with beady eyes and flaming red hair was sitting there looking 15:10.320 --> 15:11.320 at me. 15:11.320 --> 15:12.320 Who was he? 15:12.320 --> 15:13.320 Oh, I don't know. 15:13.320 --> 15:14.320 I had never seen him before in my life. 15:14.320 --> 15:16.320 Are you sure he saw everything? 15:16.320 --> 15:17.320 Oh, there is no doubt of it. 15:17.320 --> 15:26.400 Well, I really don't know what to say. 15:26.400 --> 15:27.400 I... 15:27.400 --> 15:29.760 I suspected that something like this would happen. 15:29.760 --> 15:31.760 Oh, what are you talking about? 15:31.760 --> 15:36.000 Well, am I supposed to condone what you did, Nicky? 15:36.000 --> 15:38.600 Oh, I need your help, Leola. 15:38.600 --> 15:40.600 My help? 15:40.600 --> 15:42.400 How can I help you, Nicky? 15:42.400 --> 15:43.760 Oh, Leola, darling, please. 15:43.760 --> 15:47.400 This isn't something I asked you to do. 15:47.400 --> 15:52.040 It's best it happened this way, because you'd have to wake up sometime. 15:52.040 --> 15:56.800 It's a hard, cruel world, Mr. Opera Singer. 15:56.800 --> 15:58.680 Am I supposed to comfort this thing? 15:58.680 --> 16:02.800 Am I supposed to become involved in this whole rotten mess all because you made a mistake? 16:02.800 --> 16:07.480 Well, don't you understand that what I did, I did for us to keep us together? 16:07.480 --> 16:09.360 Take your last bow, Nicky. 16:09.360 --> 16:14.640 The curtain's about to ring down, just like it falls on one of those operas you're singing. 16:14.640 --> 16:19.040 Oh, don't you realize that if Felix had gone through with what he threatened to, it would 16:19.040 --> 16:21.040 have meant losing you? 16:21.040 --> 16:30.600 It's funny to see you standing there, so strong and yet so weak, so much like a little boy, 16:30.600 --> 16:34.080 and yet so very much an old man. 16:34.080 --> 16:38.120 Did you ever actually believe that I was capable of loving you? 16:38.120 --> 16:41.800 Leola, I won't believe this. 16:41.800 --> 16:43.680 I won't believe it. 16:43.680 --> 16:54.360 Put the key to the apartment on the table as you leave, Nicky. 16:54.360 --> 17:01.120 I left Leola's apartment in a tease, and I went home just as a condemned man goes to 17:01.120 --> 17:12.320 the gallows and waited for the police. 17:12.320 --> 17:13.680 But the police never came. 17:13.680 --> 17:18.320 At least, they didn't come the first day after the murder. 17:18.320 --> 17:21.000 The second day, I did receive a call from the police. 17:21.000 --> 17:23.560 It was a routine check. 17:23.560 --> 17:27.640 They told me they wanted to know if I knew anything about the crime or if I suspected 17:27.640 --> 17:29.520 anyone. 17:29.520 --> 17:32.000 My answers were vague. 17:32.000 --> 17:35.760 I was safe, safe from the police. 17:35.760 --> 17:43.360 Finally, not being able to contain myself any longer, I decided to call Leola just before 17:43.360 --> 17:51.400 my Saturday matinee of Paris Gaudounauf. 17:51.400 --> 17:53.000 That's the overture, Mr. Mazzini. 17:53.000 --> 17:56.000 Yes, thank you. 17:56.000 --> 18:00.560 Hello? 18:00.560 --> 18:01.560 Niccolo Leola. 18:01.560 --> 18:02.560 Oh, it's you. 18:02.560 --> 18:03.560 It looks like the police made his misdemeanor. 18:03.560 --> 18:04.560 What happened to the man in the brown coat and the flaming red hair, Nicky? 18:04.560 --> 18:05.560 I don't know. 18:05.560 --> 18:06.560 Are you sure there was such a man, Nicky? 18:06.560 --> 18:07.560 Oh, I swear there was such a person, Leola. 18:07.560 --> 18:08.560 I swear to you. 18:08.560 --> 18:09.560 Then you've been very fortunate, Nicky. 18:09.560 --> 18:10.560 But why does he wait? 18:10.560 --> 18:11.560 Why doesn't he come? 18:11.560 --> 18:12.560 I don't know. 18:12.560 --> 18:13.560 I don't know. 18:13.560 --> 18:14.560 I don't know. 18:14.560 --> 18:15.560 I don't know. 18:15.560 --> 18:16.560 I don't know. 18:16.560 --> 18:17.560 I don't know. 18:17.560 --> 18:18.560 I don't know. 18:18.560 --> 18:19.560 I don't know. 18:19.560 --> 18:20.560 I don't know. 18:20.560 --> 18:21.560 I don't know. 18:21.560 --> 18:22.560 I don't know. 18:22.560 --> 18:23.560 I don't know. 18:23.560 --> 18:24.560 I don't know. 18:24.560 --> 18:26.160 I don't know. 18:26.160 --> 18:27.160 I don't know. 18:27.160 --> 18:28.160 I don't know. 18:28.160 --> 18:29.160 I don't know. 18:29.160 --> 18:30.160 I don't know. 18:30.160 --> 18:31.160 I don't know. 18:31.160 --> 18:32.160 I don't know. 18:32.160 --> 18:33.160 I don't know. 18:33.160 --> 18:34.160 I don't know. 18:34.160 --> 18:35.160 I don't know. 18:35.160 --> 18:36.160 Can I come to see you? 18:36.160 --> 18:37.160 Not yet, Nicky. 18:37.160 --> 18:38.160 At least not until his whole thing is over completely. 18:38.160 --> 18:39.160 Leola, please. 18:39.160 --> 18:40.160 Let's say at least until we're sure that this man in the brown coat and red hair doesn't 18:40.160 --> 18:41.160 put in an appearance. 18:41.160 --> 18:42.160 Let's wait, Nicky. 18:42.160 --> 18:43.160 Shall we? 18:43.160 --> 18:44.160 Yes, Leola. 18:44.160 --> 18:45.160 We'll wait. 18:45.160 --> 18:46.160 You know, maybe I could have just said this... 18:46.160 --> 18:47.160 Let's wait, Nicky. 18:47.160 --> 18:48.160 Let's wait. 18:48.160 --> 18:49.160 Let's wait. 18:49.160 --> 18:50.160 Let's wait. 18:50.160 --> 18:51.160 Let's wait, Nicky. 18:51.160 --> 18:52.160 Let's wait. 18:52.160 --> 19:01.800 And so I waited, waited for I didn't know what. 19:01.800 --> 19:06.980 Possibly I was waiting for a knock at the door or the ring of the phone, expecting at 19:06.980 --> 19:09.080 any moment it would be the police. 19:09.080 --> 19:14.720 At the end of the second week I found myself beginning to regain my composure. 19:14.720 --> 19:18.480 But yet, beneath that composure I still waited. 19:18.480 --> 19:21.960 On Friday night I was to sing as Camillo. 19:21.960 --> 19:25.600 While putting on my make-up in my dressing room I received a phone call. 19:25.600 --> 19:26.600 Hello. 19:26.600 --> 19:27.600 Hello, Nick. 19:27.600 --> 19:28.600 Who is this, please? 19:28.600 --> 19:29.600 I am busy. 19:29.600 --> 19:38.600 I was just telling my friends my brown coat needs to be clean and pressed and I need a 19:38.600 --> 19:39.600 haircut. 19:39.600 --> 19:41.800 What are you talking about? 19:41.800 --> 19:47.400 Barbers tell me that men with red hair are the best conversationalists. 19:47.400 --> 19:48.400 You? 19:48.400 --> 19:49.400 Yeah, me. 19:49.400 --> 19:50.400 Who are you? 19:50.400 --> 19:51.400 Who are you? 19:51.400 --> 19:52.400 If you'd run a little faster you might have caught me. 19:52.400 --> 19:53.400 Tell me what would you have done to me if you had caught me, Nick? 19:53.400 --> 19:54.400 The same thing you did to Felix Levine. 19:54.400 --> 19:55.400 I don't know what you're talking about. 19:55.400 --> 19:56.400 Let's not be corny, Nick. 19:56.400 --> 19:57.400 Why didn't you go to the police? 19:57.400 --> 19:58.400 Why didn't you? 19:58.400 --> 19:59.400 You sing well, Nick. 19:59.400 --> 20:00.400 You're a great singer. 20:00.400 --> 20:01.400 I admire you. 20:01.400 --> 20:02.400 I sing too. 20:02.400 --> 20:03.400 Do you know that? 20:03.400 --> 20:04.400 I sing very well. 20:04.400 --> 20:05.400 Listen to me. 20:05.400 --> 20:16.120 Haven't you heard of the 20:16.120 --> 20:23.120 time right now, Nick? 20:23.120 --> 20:29.160 I think I'll call you in a day or so and let you know just how well I want you to sing. 20:29.160 --> 20:30.160 But listen to me. 20:30.160 --> 20:33.160 It's going to be an expensive song. 20:33.160 --> 20:34.160 Just remember that. 20:34.160 --> 20:37.160 A real expensive song. 20:37.160 --> 20:38.160 Wait. 20:38.160 --> 20:39.160 Wait. 20:39.160 --> 20:40.160 Please, please. 20:40.160 --> 20:53.880 The man in the brown coat and flaming red hair had finally come out from his hiding place. 20:53.880 --> 20:57.400 And now I knew the reason why he had remained silent. 20:57.400 --> 21:00.080 He was going to blackmail me. 21:00.080 --> 21:02.440 He had seen everything. 21:02.440 --> 21:05.640 There was no escape for me now. 21:05.640 --> 21:06.640 I was helpless. 21:06.640 --> 21:10.960 How was I going to pay any demands he might make? 21:10.960 --> 21:14.160 As for the other creditors, I could easily have taken care of them. 21:14.160 --> 21:19.240 But this new creditor, his was a demand that could not be taken care of. 21:19.240 --> 21:25.440 Yes, this man in the brown jacket with flaming red hair had my life in his hands. 21:25.440 --> 21:34.320 And he knew it. 21:34.320 --> 21:37.800 That evening my performance in Carmen was a mockery. 21:37.800 --> 21:40.440 I sang as Camillo as if in a trance. 21:40.440 --> 21:45.520 I think that even the cast around me suspected something was wrong. 21:45.520 --> 21:49.600 Saturday I waited for his phone call, but it didn't come. 21:49.600 --> 21:54.360 Then in the afternoon I received a call to report to the opera house wardrobe room for 21:54.360 --> 21:56.040 a custom fitting. 21:56.040 --> 21:57.800 I went down. 21:57.800 --> 22:01.440 I walked down on the long side alley entrance to the opera house. 22:01.440 --> 22:03.120 I opened the door and stepped in. 22:03.120 --> 22:05.320 Hello, Mr. Marzini. 22:05.320 --> 22:08.520 The doorman greeted me and I nodded to him. 22:08.520 --> 22:14.480 And as I lifted my head, there sitting next to the doorman, his back to me, was the man 22:14.480 --> 22:17.640 in the brown coat and flaming red hair. 22:17.640 --> 22:20.520 I walked rapidly across the stage. 22:20.520 --> 22:26.920 I made my way back to a darkened corner from where I could watch the two of them. 22:26.920 --> 22:27.920 What was he doing here? 22:27.920 --> 22:30.920 Had he purposely exposed himself to me? 22:30.920 --> 22:35.760 It must have been half an hour and the doorman received the phone call and left. 22:35.760 --> 22:39.920 Now the man with red hair was sitting at the stage door alone. 22:39.920 --> 22:42.000 His back to me. 22:42.000 --> 22:46.600 I fell behind me and my hand close upon a wooden stage brace. 22:46.600 --> 22:51.280 Then I made my way carefully against the back brick wall of the opera house. 22:51.280 --> 22:53.600 I was only a few feet from him now. 22:53.600 --> 22:55.640 I looked around. 22:55.640 --> 22:57.880 There was no one inside. 22:57.880 --> 22:58.880 And then I was upon him. 22:58.880 --> 23:04.600 I brought the stage brace crashing down in his head. 23:04.600 --> 23:09.360 He did not cry out. 23:09.360 --> 23:11.800 And I caught him before he fell off the chair. 23:11.800 --> 23:13.760 I held him in my arms waiting. 23:13.760 --> 23:14.760 No sounds. 23:14.760 --> 23:17.760 No one at earth. 23:17.760 --> 23:19.120 Good. 23:19.120 --> 23:25.120 I lifted him upon my shoulders and in darkness made my way back to my dressing room. 23:25.120 --> 23:28.240 I kicked the door closed behind me. 23:28.240 --> 23:31.480 Emptied my traveling trunk and deposited the body in it. 23:31.480 --> 23:38.600 In the morning I could have the trunk delivered to my home and dispose of its contents. 23:38.600 --> 23:40.320 I left the opera house. 23:40.320 --> 23:52.640 A great weight had suddenly been lifted from my shoulders. 23:52.640 --> 23:57.480 As I arrived at the opera house tonight, I knew that I was to give a performance of opera 23:57.480 --> 24:00.920 that the patrons would never forget. 24:00.920 --> 24:05.320 A few minutes before I was to go on stage, I was putting the finishing touches on my 24:05.320 --> 24:06.320 makeup. 24:06.320 --> 24:07.320 Hello. 24:07.320 --> 24:08.320 Hello, Nick. 24:08.320 --> 24:09.320 How are you? 24:09.320 --> 24:10.320 Have you thought over what I said, Nick? 24:10.320 --> 24:11.320 Have you thought about singing for me? 24:11.320 --> 24:12.320 But you, you're dead. 24:12.320 --> 24:13.320 You've got to convince me, Nick. 24:13.320 --> 24:14.320 I feel very much alive. 24:14.320 --> 24:15.320 I'm not dead. 24:15.320 --> 24:16.320 I'm alive. 24:16.320 --> 24:17.320 I'm alive. 24:17.320 --> 24:18.320 I'm alive. 24:18.320 --> 24:19.320 I'm alive. 24:19.320 --> 24:20.320 I'm alive. 24:20.320 --> 24:21.320 I'm alive. 24:21.320 --> 24:22.320 I'm alive. 24:22.320 --> 24:23.320 I'm alive. 24:23.320 --> 24:24.320 I'm alive. 24:24.320 --> 24:25.320 I'm alive. 24:25.320 --> 24:26.320 I'm alive. 24:26.320 --> 24:27.320 I'm alive. 24:27.320 --> 24:28.320 I'm alive. 24:28.320 --> 24:29.320 I feel like singing. 24:29.320 --> 24:30.320 This is a joke. 24:30.320 --> 24:31.320 Tomorrow, Nick. 24:31.320 --> 24:35.220 I want you to sing for me tomorrow. 24:35.220 --> 24:40.440 Sing for, say, about $25,000. 24:40.440 --> 24:41.980 That should keep me from singing. 24:41.980 --> 24:42.980 I don't want to. 24:42.980 --> 24:45.000 I'll phone you tomorrow, Nick. 24:45.000 --> 24:46.000 Wait. 24:46.000 --> 24:47.000 Wait. 24:47.000 --> 24:48.000 Wait. 24:48.000 --> 24:49.000 Wait. 24:49.000 --> 24:56.280 I placed the phone back to where it was. 24:56.280 --> 25:00.480 I placed the phone back on the hook and walked over the trunk. 25:00.480 --> 25:03.480 I lifted the lid. 25:03.480 --> 25:08.380 The man who lay in that trunk was the man who had seen me kill Felix Levine. 25:08.380 --> 25:09.780 No. 25:09.780 --> 25:12.780 I had not made a mistake, Lieutenant. 25:12.780 --> 25:15.080 I am sure you can guess the obvious. 25:15.080 --> 25:15.880 Riola D'Atis? 25:15.880 --> 25:17.180 Yes. 25:17.180 --> 25:21.780 She was the only other person besides the man with the red hair 25:21.780 --> 25:23.980 who knew about Felix Levine. 25:23.980 --> 25:26.080 This other guy who called you? 25:26.080 --> 25:29.380 It must have been somebody she hired. 25:29.380 --> 25:33.880 The woman for whom I had killed twice had betrayed me. 25:33.880 --> 25:35.680 We call it blackmail, Mr. Mazzini. 25:35.680 --> 25:38.280 Oh, it matters so little now. 25:38.280 --> 25:41.080 Well, we'll pick him up and then we'll be down for you. 25:41.080 --> 25:42.980 I shall be ready. 25:42.980 --> 25:44.380 You're on, Mr. Mazzini. 25:44.380 --> 25:46.680 Coming. 25:46.680 --> 25:49.780 With your permission, Lieutenant Morgan, 25:49.780 --> 25:52.580 I go to give my finish. 25:52.580 --> 25:55.080 My final performance. 25:55.080 --> 25:57.080 Sing well, Mr. Mazzini. 26:25.080 --> 26:31.080 What a voice. 26:31.080 --> 26:35.080 Far and few between. 26:35.080 --> 26:36.080 Where's Riz? 26:36.080 --> 26:37.580 I don't know where he is. 26:37.580 --> 26:40.580 Saw him around this afternoon and he just disappeared. 26:40.580 --> 26:43.080 He wanted to hear Mazzini, didn't he? 26:43.080 --> 26:44.580 Are you kidding? 26:44.580 --> 26:46.580 Mazzini's his whole life. 26:46.580 --> 26:50.580 I don't think there's anything in the world he wouldn't do for Mazzini. 26:50.580 --> 26:53.580 Well, that's because he wanted to be a singer himself. 26:53.580 --> 26:55.080 Probably. 26:55.080 --> 26:56.080 A singer? 26:56.080 --> 26:58.080 That crazy redhead, a singer? 26:58.080 --> 27:25.080 How could a guy who was born a mute be a singer? 27:25.080 --> 27:34.580 Suspense, presented by Auto Light. 27:34.580 --> 27:36.580 Tonight's star, Mr. Ezio Pinza. 27:36.580 --> 27:41.580 Well, Harlow, if you're through horsing around, I'll go now. 27:41.580 --> 27:42.580 Nay, nay, hap. 27:42.580 --> 27:47.580 Not till I tell you that Auto Light makes more than 400 products for trucks, cars, planes, 27:47.580 --> 27:50.580 and boats in 28 plants coast to coast. 27:50.580 --> 27:54.580 These include complete electrical systems used as original equipment on many makes of 27:54.580 --> 27:56.580 America's finest cars. 27:56.580 --> 28:01.580 Electric windshield wipers, spark plugs, starting motors, batteries, bullseye sealed beam headlights, 28:01.580 --> 28:05.580 coils, distributors, generators, wire, and battery cable. 28:05.580 --> 28:09.580 All engineered to fit together perfectly, work together perfectly, because they're a 28:09.580 --> 28:10.580 perfect team. 28:10.580 --> 28:13.580 So friends, don't accept electrical parts supposed to be as good. 28:13.580 --> 28:18.580 Ask for and insist on original factory parts at your neighborhood service station, car 28:18.580 --> 28:20.580 dealer, garage, or repair shop. 28:20.580 --> 28:25.580 And because all Auto Light parts are original factory parts, you're always right with Auto 28:25.580 --> 28:32.580 Light. 28:32.580 --> 28:38.580 Next week on Suspense, Mr. Paul Douglas in Fragile Contents Death. 28:38.580 --> 28:43.580 And in weeks to come, you will hear Fred McMurray to be followed by the First Lady of Suspense, 28:43.580 --> 28:45.580 Miss Agnes Moorhead. 28:45.580 --> 28:51.180 And then on February 22nd, in answer to your many requests, Backseat Driver, repeated for 28:51.180 --> 28:54.580 you with its original stars, Fibber McGee and Molly. 28:54.580 --> 28:59.580 All on Suspense. 28:59.580 --> 29:02.940 Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucien Moraweck 29:02.940 --> 29:04.580 and conducted by Ludd Bluskin. 29:04.580 --> 29:06.580 Portions of this program were transcribed. 29:06.580 --> 29:10.580 Aria for Murder was written for Suspense by Richard George Pedicini. 29:10.580 --> 29:15.580 Included in tonight's cast were Joseph Kearns, Kathy Lewis, and Wally Mayer. 29:15.580 --> 29:21.580 And remember next week on Suspense, Mr. Paul Douglas, as a postmaster who knows there are 29:21.580 --> 29:25.580 explosives in the mail and has only five hours to find them. 29:25.580 --> 29:30.580 The story we call Fragile Contents Death. 29:30.580 --> 29:35.580 You can buy Auto Light staple batteries, Auto Light standard type or resistor type spark 29:35.580 --> 29:38.580 plugs, Auto Light electrical parts at your neighborhood Auto Light dealers. 29:38.580 --> 29:40.580 Switch to Auto Light. 29:40.580 --> 29:41.580 Good night. 29:41.580 --> 30:08.580 This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.